Species of the Month: Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata (December 2024)

Ladybirds hibernate during winter and often cluster communally in places relatively frost-free and with steady temperatures. It has become clear that many species have adapted well to the human environment with several using nooks and crevices in buildings. Perhaps surprisingly, ladybirds will often use gravestones as a winter refuge, including the Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata which has been recorded doing so both locally and nationally. Other species of ladybird, and indeed other invertebrates, have been found doing likewise.

Older and unkempt graveyards are likely to yield the best results for ladybirds, and generally those tombstones next to and under trees are preferred. Apparently, they are usually found about a meter up from the ground and usually cluster in and around ornaments, engravings and overhangs on the stones. It is important to not disturb the ladybirds at this time, as waking them up would waste valuable winter energy stores. Luckily all our ladybirds should be readily identifiable from photos negating the need to disturb them.

There is an iRecord Activity called Cemetery Wildlife Watch where recorders have been submitting their hibernating ladybirds and other finds as part of a research project. If you find any ladybirds in graveyards, we encourage you to get involved and to submit your records.

Malcolm Haddow

SWSEIC Support Officer